preservatives

E213 — Calcium Benzoate

Preservative - calcium salt of benzoic acid

Also known as: Calcium Benzoate

Verification required

Verify — Mushbooh

Source-dependent and requires verification. This additive may be derived from either halal (plant/synthetic) or haraam (animal) sources. Always check the product label or contact the manufacturer to verify the source.

Function Preservative - calcium salt of benzoic acid
Found in margarine, preserves & more
Source synthetic

Checking this in a shop right now?

Vegan / vegetarian label on pack → plant-based source → safe for this code

HFA / HMC / IFANCA / JAKIM logo → independently certified → safe

Neither? Follow the steps below.

School of Thought Breakdown

Hanafi

Verify source

Maliki

May permit

Shafi'i

Avoid if animal

Hanbali

Avoid if animal

Synthetic chemical - halal. Less common than sodium benzoate.

What to do with this product

Follow these steps in order — most products resolve at step 1 or 2

1

Check for a "suitable for vegans" or "suitable for vegetarians" claim

If present, E213 comes from a plant-based source — safe for this code. Still check all other ingredients too.

Vegan / vegetarian claim = plant-sourced = safe
2

Look for a halal certification logo on the pack

An HFA, HMC, IFANCA, JAKIM, or ESMA logo means the source has been independently audited. The E-code is confirmed halal in this product.

Certified logo = independently verified

Neither? Here's what to do next:

📍 In store

Put it back and look for a certified alternative on the same shelf.

Check for products carrying an HFA, HMC, or IFANCA logo, or labelled "suitable for vegans". Either confirms a safe source.

Did you find a certified alternative?

🌐 Shopping online

Halal snacks — no E213:

Browse halal alternatives on Amazon

Amazon Associate — we earn from qualifying purchases.

Background & Details

About E213

Chemical preservative Source-dependent and requires verification. This additive may be derived from either halal (plant/synthetic) or haraam (animal) sources. Always check the product label or contact the manufacturer to verify the source.

Verification Required

This additive's halal status depends on its source. Check the product label for a halal certification mark, or contact the manufacturer directly.

What is E213 made from?

  • synthetic

Foods that commonly contain E213

Food Category Guide

E213 is common in margarine — see the full halal guide →

Always check the ingredient label on the specific product - manufacturers may change formulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is E213 (Calcium Benzoate) halal?

E213 (Calcium Benzoate) is classified as Mushbooh (Questionable). Source-dependent and requires verification. This additive may be derived from either halal (plant/synthetic) or haraam (animal) sources. Always check the product label or contact the manufacturer to verify the source.

What is E213 used for?

E213 is used as a preservative - calcium salt of benzoic acid in food products.

What foods contain E213?

E213 (Calcium Benzoate) is commonly found in: margarine, preserves, beverages.

What is E213 made from?

E213 can be derived from the following sources: synthetic.

What are the other names for E213?

E213 may appear on food labels as: Calcium Benzoate.

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This information is for educational purposes only. For religious rulings, consult a qualified Islamic scholar or halal certification authority. E-code classifications may vary by source, manufacturing process, and school of thought.